Simon Elementary School Newsletter
October 2017
From the Principal
As our fall weather approaches, please remember that students are often times outside for recess and PE until it gets colder with winter weather. Be attentive to the weather forecast; if the high temperature is below 60 degrees, pants/jeans are encouraged as well as a jacket or sweatshirt to help ensure students are warm in times when they are outside.
Parent teacher conferences are October 25th and 26th. This is an important meeting that allows teachers to share your child's progress to this point in the year and allows you to ask questions about what your child's teacher sees from him/her while at school. If you have not yet signed up for a time, please contact your child's teacher to coordinate a time. If you have any questions regarding conferences, feel free to call the school office.
Lastly, be on the lookout for notes coming home from the school. Whether it is an update on events in the classroom, examples of your child's work, or a request for volunteers in the classroom, showing interest in these items and letting your child see this helps promote the importance of school for kids.
Join Us for Our Literacy Night
Be sure to check the flyer that was sent home for a run-down of our guest readers, the stories they will be sharing, and the story times. We hope to see you!
A Message from the Main Office
School Day Start & Absences
A reminder to all that our school day begins at 8:05. Students should be in their classroom at this time. If you dropping your child off late, anytime 8:05 or after, you need to come into the office to sign him/her in for the day.If your child is ill and will be absent, please call the office at 815-335-2318 to let us know by 8:30.
Notification of Transportation Changes
If you have any change in plans regarding how your child will get home at the end of the day, please call the main office before 2:00 pm to help ensure there is plenty of time to get the message to your child before buses start dismissing at 2:45. This helps to alleviate stress or uncertainty for both your child and his/her teacher.
From the Nurse's Office
Healthy vision and hearing are essential for academic success. During the months of October and November, I will be conducting vision and hearing screenings as required by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Should your child not pass, I will contact you with follow up recommendations. Please feel free to call at any time with questions.
-Nurse Beth
Memorial Camp Scholarship & Fundraiser
http://www.mystateline.com/news/new-camp-winnebago-scholarship-to-honor-gabriel-henze/819933261
http://rockriverymca.org/Events/Camp-Winnebago/Flapjack-Fundraiser/
Simon Recess/Playground Expectations
Below are general expectations for students while at recess:
- Use appropriate language; play fairly; help and share with others; no physical contact with others
- Dress appropriately for all types of weather; take care of equipment and/or put away; be responsible for your own property
- Follow playground rules and listen to the adults in charge; follow the moving line
- Return to class quietly in one line
Our Superhero Expectations
Much learning takes place here at school. Not only do students acquire the academic content and skills that we often associate with learning, but they also build social-emotional skills and learn how their behaviors can have an impact. We seek to create an atmosphere that maximizes learning potential. Part of that is providing a safe, caring environment where students know there are expectations and boundaries.
The Simon Superhero System has 4 components:
- A matrix of behavioral expectations
- Lesson plans to teach students optimal behavioral expectations in all school environments
- A celebration/reinforcement system
- Behavioral Infraction Notice
Simon Superheroes have three school-wide behavioral expectations:
- Be Ready
- Be Respectful
- Be Responsible
Teaching Appropriate Behavior
Students are taught school-wide expectations and have ample opportunities to practice them. Staff members teach what behaviors are expected in all areas of our school. This is done through a multitude of activities, including instruction in the classroom and videos. Teachers and staff provide continual feedback to students to help shape their understanding.
Acknowledgment/ Reinforcement System
Another component of the Simon Superhero system is the use of consistent positive rewards to celebrate students’ success. The classroom teacher will choose different behavior expectations that they want to target that is specific to the needs of the classroom students. The classroom teacher will determine the award to celebrate for following the school-wide expectations.
Examples of rewards include:
Celebrations for students who do not receive more than 3 behavioral referrals during a given time period
Awarding the Simon Supershield for outstanding behavior
Sticker rewards
Extra recess time
Behavioral “Pink Slips” and “Red Cards”
Although the focus is proactive and promotes positive behavior, there ultimately are times when students' behavior falls outside of our expectations.
In these situations students will receive a “pink slip”. This “pink slip” documents the inappropriate behavior. Pink slips can be given out by any staff member if they see or deal with a student who does not follow the appropriate expectations. Pink slips are considered to be minor infractions that can be dealt with by the staff and/or classroom teacher. However, if a student continues to repeat a behavior - 3 or more occurrences - this would be considered a major infraction with principal/administration follow up.
A “red card” would be for a major infraction. These major infractions could include the following: physical aggression/fighting, major disruption, disrespect, and inappropriate language (swearing or threat of harm). In the instance that a student receives a “Red Card” for a major infraction, the student will consequently receive a formal disciplinary referral that will be sent home to parents/guardians. Consequences will be listed on the referral form sent home. In case of a threat of safety to the student or other students, parents/guardians will be contacted to discuss consequences for the child’s actions.
In situations where students display undesired behavior, our goal is to teach children alternate behaviors to help ensure a school environment that is safe, fun, free from distraction, and supportive of learning.
Thank you for your support in helping us create an optimal environment for all students at our school!
Cell Phones & Bluetooth Watches
As a reminder, the school is not responsible for loss, theft, or any damages sustained to such devices. They are "bring at your own risk."
October Happenings within Kids Club
Here are some important dates and information pertaining to Kids Club for the month of October:
- Kids Club financial statements will come out October 3rd. This statement will cover both August and September service dates/fees.
- No School/No Kids Club, Monday, 10/9/17
- Kids Club Early Release on 10/25/17. Services from 12:55pm-5:30pm. $16/child.
- No School/No Kids Club, Thursday 10/26/17
- Kids Club All Day Services, Friday 10/27/17. Services from 7:30am-5pm. $25/child. Students must bring a sack lunch. Parents must sign-up their child for this service in order to attend.
October Event Calendar
1st Trimester Midterm
Friday, Oct 6, 2017, 08:00 AM
Simon
School Vision and Dental Forms Due
https://www.isbe.net/Documents/eye_examinations.pdf
Kindergarten and 2nd Grade students - dental exam and form due May 15
https://www.isbe.net/Documents/dental_information.pdf
Students who do not have an eye examination by October 15th can have their report cards withheld until appropriate documentation is submitted. For more information, contact Nurse Beth or Nurse Amanda.